Entering or exiting Canada, the limit is $10,000 CDN. You can bring more but you need to fill out a form and they will investigate; I do not recommend doing that. Leaving China with Chinese currency does have a limit though which is not very high, perhaps 5000RMB. But that is only for Chinese currency.

JungleLife is right, the most hard currency you can enter/exit Canada without declaring it is $10,000 CND (or equivalent in whatever currency you are carrying).

China's rules are a little different (it wouldn't be so much fun if they weren't, right? ha), the last time I checked you could take a maximum of 20,000 RMB out of China and up to $5000 USD (or equivalent) of other currencies (Not 100% sure about the last one).

As for dealing with your bank back home, if you've already lived in China for an extended period (read: years) and are still planning to continue to work outside of Canada for some time, with proof of prolonged employment abroad your bank can change your bank account to non-resident status.  After your account has been designated non-resident, any money that goes into that account will not be subject to taxation.

JungleLife is right, the most hard currency you can enter/exit Canada without declaring it is $10,000 CND (or equivalent in whatever currency you are carrying).

China's rules are a little different (it wouldn't be so much fun if they weren't, right? ha), the last time I checked you could take a maximum of 20,000 RMB out of China and up to $5000 USD (or equivalent) of other currencies (Not 100% sure about the last one).

As for dealing with your bank back home, if you've already lived in China for an extended period (read: years) and are still planning to continue to work outside of Canada for some time, with proof of prolonged employment abroad your bank can change your bank account to non-resident status.  After your account has been designated non-resident, any money that goes into that account will not be subject to taxation.

Carrying large amounts of money raises the drug dealer flag. They can seize it and good luck getting it back. I sweated carrying 5000 back last time. They ask if you are carrying 10,000 or more, I said no.

As far as how much you can tranfer It all depends on your residency status as far as taxes are concerned.

Open an account in Hong Kong.  You can still use your money in Canada if you need to...it's safe...readily available and out of the country.

As far as Canada is concerned, $ 10,000 Can dollars will be allowed to enter legally.  As far as exiting China, you will be limited to 20,000 yuan or its equivalent in any foreign currency.  However, if you brought into China foreign currency exceeding a value of 20,000 yuan, and declared it, you can leave with the same amount or its equivalent showing proof at time of departure.  Also, not widely known, to whatever amount you brought in, you can add any wire transfers you received from back home, with proper bank documentation of course.

It is NOT 20,000 yuan plus $ 5,000 US dollars or equivalent as indicated by another poster. The real limit is 20,000 yuan or equivalent in foreign currency, or an amount equal to what you brought in if properly declared, plus amounts of any wire transfer receivd properly documented by bank statements.

If still in doubt, check http://shanghai.customs.gov.cn/Default.aspx?tabid=5674

I agree if convenient to open an account in Hong Kong.  However, you will still have to go through the necessary the paper work, tax forms, and red tape to be able to transfer money to the account.  A little less red tape since you don't have to exchange your money to USD first as HK allows non-residents to open RMB accounts.

are you a tax evader shame shame